News and Announcements

News and Announcements

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Webinar: The Future is Here! An Overview of New Federal Child Care Requirements and Changes for ABC Quality

In response to feedback from participant surveys, we are pleased to be partnering again this fall with the South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care (SCPITC) to offer aditional training on upcoming changes to ABC Quality Standards at ALL ABC quality levels. Please join us for a webinar on November 10, 2016 from 6:30-7:30 PM to learn about changes in the federal child care requirements that will affaect ALL ABC Quality providers. Participants will register online in advance for the webinar. To reserve your space, please visit www.scpitc.org/webinars. If you have questions regarding registration, please contact Anne Bergin at bergin@musc.edu or at 843-876-2822.

Early Learning Standards are Here!

The newly revised Early Learning Standards represent input and expertise from professionals across the state. These collaboratively adopted standards represent development and learning in young children ages Birth to 5 years old and contain key features, such as, developmental continuums, teaching strategies and specific information for young dual language learners.

For further information, please check out our webinar here and review the resource links below.

We are pleased to announce that the SC Department of Social Services-Division of Early Care and Education has arranged for the SC Chapter of the National Safety Council (SCNSC) to provide First Aid and CPR certification training across the state at No Cost to ABC Quality enrolled child care providers. This First Aid and CPR certification training will not be available online. All individuals, (administrators, directors, and caregivers) working in an ABC Quality enrolled child care facility must participate in the Pediatric First Aid and Infant-Child CPR training. Anyone with current FA/CPR certification that expires prior to October 1, 2016 or soon thereafter should plan to attend one of the trainings.

To register for this training, please log on to www.scnsc.org, select training, and select an ABC First Aid & CPR training that is convenient for you to attend. If you have questions about this training or if you are interested in your facility serving as a host site for the training, please contact Kristin Stevens at 803-732-6778 or kstevens@scnsc.org.

Please regularly check the SCNSC’s website or contact their office for training dates and locations updates.

On Monday, April 25, 2016 USDA issued the new healthier meal pattern and nutrition standards for the Child and Adult Care Food Program and related programs. Click here for more information and for summaries of the new meal standards.

Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care

We are delighted to announce a new designation for child care providers providing special support for new mothers! Programs with the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care designation give new mothers the support they need during the transition to child care. We know that this can be a difficult time for mothers breastfeeding and often mothers feel they need to stop breastfeeding when they go back to work. Licensed child care programs that earn the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care designation are ready to support you and your baby to continue breastfeeding while in care.

Click here to see ABC providers who have earned the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care designation.

To learn more about Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care's or apply to become a breast feeding friendly child care click here.

Earned Income Tax Credit Can Help Rural Families

The United States Department of Agriculture recently posted a blog by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the importance of the Earned Income Tax Credit. This topic is relevant and important to families and child care providers. Click here to read more.

Health Insurance

Are you a Head Start or child care provider in need of health insurance. Click here for more information.

New Emergency Phone Number

During a disaster or emergency, child care providers should call the Division of Early Care and Education at 1-888-825-7174 to report damage or closure or to request expanded capacity.

New Dietary Guidelines

The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture recently released the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Now in its eighth edition, the Dietary Guidelines continues to be an important resource to help our Nation reach its highest standard of health.

Making small changes in food choices can add up to big health benefits and help prevent diet-related chronic diseases. The updated Dietary Guidelines describes how Americans can establish long-term healthy eating patterns by emphasizing small, doable shifts in their daily eating habits.

Food allergies affect approximately 4% - 6% of children in the United States. Helping child care staff to be prepared to prevent and manage a child's severe allergic reaction can create a healthy environment where all children can reach their full potential.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration, and several states are currently investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections in several states. Click here for more information.